Lessons Learned From Summer Jobs

By Christina Oehler on August 11, 2014

This article is brought to you by the Uloop Jobs search service. Looking for an Internship or a Part-Time or Full-Time Job? Use Uloop to search for employers hiring in and outside of your area.

As summer comes to a close and school starts back up, it’s nice to think that the busy work of your summer job will finally be replaced by studying for classes that will actually further your career.

The days of waiting tables, sorting clothes and asking, “Do you want your receipt with you, or in the bag?” are coming to an end.

However, it’s important to remember that there is a little more to a summer job than just earning a few extra bucks to go out on weekends. Even the most petty summer jobs can transfer over as lessons we can learn from as college students.

Timeliness

Whether you worked in an entry-level job or interned for a high-end company, time was one of the most important aspects of every summer career.

Summer jobs teach us the importance of being responsible enough to show up to work on time every day. Granted, this is probably a skill you already had, but reiterating the concept is important for college students.

University classes can be thousands of dollars per semester, which equates to about $100 per lecture. It’s easy to forget this when you’re hungover on a Friday morning, but transferring the concept of timeliness over to your academic life will help improve your grades and could remind the professor of the student who is always on time for lectures when they are grading your paper.

Appearance 

Although most colleges have little to no dress code, presentation is an important part of our student lives.

After all, the whole reason we are at these incredible universities is to get a great job and make money; with that in mind, dressing appropriately and professionally is something a lot of college students need to remember.

Much like a summer job, employers will take note of who is well dressed and professional looking at interviews, career fairs and in online photos. While you may not have to wear the same dorky uniform as you did at your summer job, having a polished appearance will contribute to a more professional employment opportunity.

http://1040return.com

Attitude

Looks aren’t everything, however, and professional disposition is just as important as your appearance. Albeit, it can be challenging to watch everyone out enjoying the summer sun while you work, but keeping a smile on your face as you do so is what kept you employed this summer.

Maintaining that same friendly, optimistic demeanor as you work on projects with classmates and meet with professors can come in handy; you never know when you will need a recommendation from these people later on.

Responsiveness

One of the toughest obstacles in any line of work can be responding well to criticism. Summer jobs are for part-time students who employers know are bound to make mistakes.

What employers also keep in mind, however, is those who were able to respond well to the critiques that they were given. Even beyond our college years, it’s important to remember to keep a level of professionalism when hearing these critiques, and staying unemotional as you remember everyone receives criticism in the work place.

Although the last thing on your mind as your start the semester may be your boring summer job, just remember how important it is to translate these lessons into every aspect of your academic and professional life.

Search through the Uloop job listings to find your next Part-Time or Full-Time employment or Internship opportunity. Employers are waiting to hear from you!

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format